Nigeria’s forward #9 Victor Osimhen reacts during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 quarter-final football match between Nigeria and Angola at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on February 2, 2024. Image: FRANCK FIFE / AFP
It was mind games all along from Nigeria ahead of AFCON semi
Nigeria have played some transparent mind games ahead of an epic AFCON semi-final meeting with Bafana Bafana.
Nigeria’s forward #9 Victor Osimhen reacts during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 quarter-final football match between Nigeria and Angola at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on February 2, 2024. Image: FRANCK FIFE / AFP
Nigeria has confirmed that Victor Osimhen is with rest of the squad and fit to face Bafana Bafana in the AFCON semi-finals.
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OSIMHEN WAS A ‘DOUBT’ FOR AFCON SEMI-FINAL
25-year-old Napoli striker Osimhen has started all five games for Nigeria at the tournament. He’s scored once and assisted two goals. The current African Footballer of the Year spoke of “abdominal discomfort” and initially didn’t travel with his team.
“Members of the team travelled from Abidjan to Bouaké today via a 10 pm Air Cote D’Ivoire flight,” read a statement on Tuesday.
“Osimhen did not however make the trip as a result of abdominal discomfort. Team medics confirmed that he has been placed under close watch with a member of the medical team staying behind in Abidjan with him.
“If cleared by tomorrow morning, he will join the rest of the squad before 5 pm.”
It’s now been confirmed that Osimhen is fit and available.
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LOOKMAN IS THE FORM MAN TO WORRY BAFANA
Nigeria got the better of Angola in a tight quarter-final clash. Ademola Lookman was the only goal-scorer on the evening, and Lookman also scored a brace against Cameroon in the round of 16. Meanwhile, the directness and pace of Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze will give Aubrey Modiba and Mothobi Mvala plenty to think about in Bafana’s left channel if he’s introduced as a substitute, as expected.
Nigeria face South Africa in Bouaké on Wednesday 7 February at 19:00.
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Meanwhile, hit up James Freemantle for more insights, analysis and love for the beautiful game.
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